投票する

§ What "投票する" Means and How People Use It

“投票する” (tohyou suru) is a straightforward Japanese verb that means “to vote” or “to cast a ballot.” You'll encounter this word whenever you're talking about elections, polls, or any situation where people make a choice by casting a vote. It's a common term in discussions about politics, democracy, and community decisions. If you're following Japanese news, especially around election time, you'll see this word everywhere.

The verb itself is made up of two parts: “投票” (tohyou), which is a noun meaning “vote” or “ballot,” and “する” (suru), which is the verb “to do.” So, literally, it means “to do a vote” or “to do a ballot.” This pattern is very common in Japanese; many nouns can be turned into verbs by adding “する” to them. This makes it a really practical word to learn because understanding this structure helps you with many other vocabulary items too.

Japanese Word

投票する (tohyou suru)

Definition

To vote; to cast a ballot

CEFR Level

A2

When do people use it? You'll use “投票する” in contexts like:

• Political elections (e.g., “大統領選挙で投票する” - to vote in the presidential election).
• Internal company or organization votes (e.g., “会長を投票する” - to vote for the company president).
• School council elections (e.g., “生徒会の役員を投票する” - to vote for student council members).
• Referendums or public opinion polls (e.g., “法案について投票する” - to vote on a bill).

It's essential to understand that “投票する” specifically refers to the act of casting a physical or electronic ballot. It's not generally used for making a simple choice or decision in a casual conversation, where you might use verbs like “選ぶ” (erabu - to choose/select) or “決める” (kimeru - to decide). Think of it as the formal, procedural act of voting.

Here are a couple of examples to help you see it in action:

I plan to vote in next week's election.

Everyone can vote on the new rules.

The politeness level of “投票する” can be adjusted just like any other “する” verb. In a formal context, you'd use “投票します” (tohyou shimasu). In casual conversation, you might hear “投票する” or even its plain form “投票する” without ます. Pay attention to the surrounding sentence structure and context to get the nuance right.

Keep an eye out for related vocabulary too. For example, “投票所” (tohyoujo) means “voting place” or “poll station,” and “一票” (ichihyou) means “one vote.” Understanding “投票する” is a great step toward understanding these related terms and engaging in more complex discussions in Japanese.

Let's learn how to use the Japanese verb 投票する (とうひょうする), which means 'to vote' or 'to cast a ballot'. This is a very practical verb to know, especially when talking about elections, politics, or even just group decisions.

§ Basic Grammar: 投票する as a 'する' verb

投票する is a 'する' verb, which makes its grammar fairly straightforward. 'する' verbs are often formed by adding する to a noun, turning that noun into a verb. In this case, 投票 (とうひょう) is the noun meaning 'vote' or 'ballot', and adding する makes it 'to vote'.

§ Who votes: The subject

The person or group who votes is the subject of the sentence and is marked with the particle が (ga) or は (wa). は (wa) is used to introduce the topic, and が (ga) emphasizes the subject.

Hint

I voted in the election.

§ What you vote for: The object

When you want to specify what you are voting for, you generally use the particle に (ni). This particle indicates the direction or target of the action.

Hint

He voted for the new leader.

§ Where you vote: Location

To indicate the place where you vote, use the particle で (de). This particle marks the location where an action takes place.

Hint

We voted at the school.

§ When you vote: Time

Use the particle に (ni) to indicate a specific point in time, or no particle for general time expressions.

Hint

I will go to vote tomorrow afternoon.

§ Common phrases with 投票する

Here are some common ways you'll hear and use 投票する:

• 投票に行く (とうひょうにいく): To go to vote.
• 投票用紙 (とうひょうようし): Ballot paper.
• 期日前投票 (きじつぜんとうひょう): Early voting.

Hint

Early voting is convenient.

§ Practice sentences

Try to make your own sentences using 投票する. Here are a few more examples to help you out:

Hint

Many people voted for that proposal.

Hint

He will vote for the first time.

By understanding these basic structures, you'll be able to confidently use 投票する in many situations. Keep practicing!

§ Don't Confuse 投票する with 'Choosing'

Many English speakers, when starting out in Japanese, might try to use 投票する in situations where they are simply making a choice or selection, rather than casting a formal vote. While 'voting' is a type of choosing, 投票する specifically refers to the act of casting a ballot in an election, a poll, or a similar formal process. It's not for everyday decisions.

Wrong Example

ランチにカレーを投票しました。(I voted for curry for lunch.)

This is incorrect because 'choosing curry for lunch' isn't a formal vote.

Correct Example

ランチにカレーを選びました。(I chose curry for lunch.)

§ Using the Wrong Particles with 投票する

When using 投票する, pay attention to the particles. The particle に (ni) is typically used to indicate what or who you are voting for. For the place where you vote, usually で (de) is used.

Particle for what/who you vote for

Use に (ni). It indicates the target or recipient of the action.

Particle for the place you vote

Use で (de). It indicates the location where an action takes place.

§ Overusing 投票する in Casual Conversation

While 投票する is an important word, it's generally reserved for formal contexts. You won't hear it in casual conversations about minor preferences. For example, if friends are deciding which movie to watch, they wouldn't typically say they are 'voting' for a movie using 投票する.

• Instead of: どの映画に投票しますか？ (Which movie will you vote for?)

• Try: どの映画が観たいですか？ (Which movie do you want to watch?)

§ Forgetting the する in 投票する

投票する is a する-verb, meaning it's formed by adding する to the noun 投票 (とうひょう - a vote/ballot). Beginners sometimes forget to include する, which makes the sentence grammatically incomplete when they mean to express the action of voting.

Incorrect

来週、投票があります。(Next week, there is a vote.)

This implies 'a vote exists', not 'someone will vote'. While grammatically okay as a standalone noun phrase, it doesn't convey the action.

Correct (for the action)

来週、投票します。(Next week, I will vote.)

The する makes it an active verb.

§ What "投票する" Means

Definition

To vote; to cast a ballot.

投票する (tohyou suru) is a straightforward verb that means "to vote" or "to cast a ballot." It's commonly used when talking about elections, referendums, or any situation where people express their choice through a formal voting process.

Translation hint: We will vote for a new mayor next week.

Translation hint: Many people voted on the right to work.

§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives

While 投票する is your go-to for "to vote," there are a couple of other phrases that might seem similar but have slightly different nuances.

• 選挙する (senkyo suru): This also means "to elect" or "to choose by voting." However, 選挙する often implies the entire election process, from campaigning to the final result, whereas 投票する specifically focuses on the act of casting a ballot.

  来月、大統頼を選挙する。

  Translation hint: We will elect a president next month.

• 投じ入れる (nageireru): This literally means "to throw in" or "to drop in." While you might use it in the context of putting a ballot into a box, it's not specific to voting. You could also use it for putting a letter into a mailbox or money into a collection box. It's more general and less formal than 投票する.

  彼は金を贈物箱に投じ入れた。

  Translation hint: He dropped money into the donation box.

When in doubt, stick with 投票する for the direct meaning of "to vote." It's clear, precise, and widely understood in the context of elections and formal decision-making processes.